214 



KEY TO the: water BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



the Atlantic coast and is the common " Shelldrake " of Florida ; some winters 

 they are abundant. This and the Hooded Merganser are the two species 

 which are common in Florida in winter. 



The female of this species may be easily distinguished from the American 

 Merganser by the difference in the measurement of the bill ; the bird is also 

 somewhat smaller. The distance from the nostril to the tip of the bill in 

 this species measures more than 1.50 inches. 



It breeds from New Brunswick northward, the eggs being pale buff in 

 color and usually from eight to twelve in number. 



Genus LOPHODYTES Reich. 



LOPHODYTES CUCULLATUS {Linn). 

 Hooded Merganser. 



Adult male : Head with large black and 

 white crest ; upper parts black ; under parts 

 white having the sides brownish delicately 

 barred with black. 



Length, I9.5O; Wing, 7.75 ; Tarsus, 1.30; 

 Bill, 1.50. 



Adtilt female: Head and neck brownish, show- 

 ing a slight crest, but not nearly as large as in 

 the male ; under parts white. 



Length, I8.5O; Wing, 7.75 ; Tarsus, 1.30; 

 Bill, 1.50. 

 The young bird resembles the female, but has no crest. 

 Length, I8.5O; Wing, 7.70; Tarsus, 1.25 ; Bill, 1.50. 



This species is found in 

 many parts of North 

 America, having a wide 

 distribution. It is com- 

 mon in Florida in winter, 

 (Male.) ^nd ranges along the Gulf 



coast to Mexico and Cuba, breeding throughout its 



range. The eggs are usually deposited in a hollow 



tree near the water ; they are white, sometimes buffy 



white in color, and usually number from seven to 



ten. It has a peculiar note, somewhat resembling 



that of the Scaup Duck, but sharper. 



(Female.) 



